Changi Airport to Woodlands by MRT
Quick answer: Take the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) to Tanah Merah, change at Tanah Merah to the East West Line (towards Tuas Link) to Paya Lebar, change at Paya Lebar to the Circle Line (towards Prince Edward Road) to Bishan, change at Bishan to the North South Line (towards Jurong East) to Woodlands. That is 20 stops with 3 changes, about 65 minutes on the train, and the adult card fare is S$2.55.
Step by step from Changi Airport to Woodlands
- At Changi Airport board the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) and ride 2 stops to Tanah Merah.
- At Tanah Merah change to the East West Line towards Tuas Link and ride 4 stops to Paya Lebar.
- At Paya Lebar change to the Circle Line towards Prince Edward Road and ride 6 stops to Bishan.
- At Bishan change to the North South Line towards Jurong East and ride 8 stops to Woodlands.
Follow the overhead signs for the next line at each interchange; the platforms are linked by escalators and lifts and the change takes 2 to 5 minutes on foot. Station codes: Changi Airport is CG2 and Woodlands is NS9/TE2. See the interactive MRT map to check the route on the network.
Fare from Changi Airport to Woodlands
| Fare type | Adult card fare |
|---|---|
| Standard adult fare (card, contactless or phone wallet) | S$2.55 |
| Early bird, tapping in before 7.45am on a weekday | S$2.05 |
| From 26 December 2026, after the announced fare rise | S$2.68 |
The fare is based on the 38.3 km shortest rail distance between the two stations and is the same whichever route you take. Seniors, students and children pay concession fares that are much lower. Pay with a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an EZ-Link card; the gates do not take cash. More in the guide to paying for the MRT and the fare calculator.
How long does it take?
Allow about 65 minutes on the train from Changi Airport to Woodlands. That assumes roughly 2 to 3 minutes per stop and about 5 minutes for each change, plus a few minutes waiting for the first train. Trains run every 2 to 3 minutes at peak times and every 5 to 7 minutes off-peak, so the wait is short. Add the walk at either end: most city-centre stations have several exits and the right one can save 5 minutes.
First and last trains
The East West Line (Changi Airport branch) runs from about 5:31 AM until about 11:18 PM at its first station, and the North South Line from about 5:16 AM until about 11:48 PM. Times at Changi Airport itself depend on how far it is from the end of the line, and the last connecting train at an interchange leaves earlier than the last train of the night, so for a trip after 11.30pm check the first and last train times before you set off. Services start about half an hour later on Sundays and public holidays.
Return journey: Woodlands to Changi Airport
- At Woodlands board the North South Line towards Marina South Pier and ride 8 stops to Bishan.
- At Bishan change to the Circle Line towards Dhoby Ghaut and ride 6 stops to Paya Lebar.
- At Paya Lebar change to the East West Line towards Pasir Ris and ride 4 stops to Tanah Merah.
- At Tanah Merah change to the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) and ride 2 stops to Changi Airport.
The return trip takes about 65 minutes and costs the same S$2.55.
Arriving at Woodlands
Woodlands MRT station sits at the heart of a busy regional centre in northern Singapore, surrounded by a mix of shopping, dining and community facilities. Causeway Point and STELLAR@TE2 make this a popular destination for retail and leisure, while the Woodlands Regional Library serves the broader residential population nearby. The area also functions as a major transport node, with the Woodlands Integrated Transport Hub connecting the station to bus services across the north.
Close to the station:
- Cantine by Kopitiam (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Woodlands Regional Library (library, about 2 min on foot)
- STELLAR@TE2 (shopping mall, about 2 min on foot)
- Food Republic (food centre, about 2 min on foot)
- Causeway Point (shopping mall, about 3 min on foot)
The Woodlands station guide lists every exit, the lines it serves and first and last trains; the Changi Airport station guide does the same for the start of the trip.
Places to visit at either end
- How to Get to Johor Bahru by MRT and Bus via Woodlands Checkpoint
- How to Get to Changi Airport by MRT: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4
- How to Get to Jewel Changi Airport by MRT
Frequently asked questions
How many MRT stops from Changi Airport to Woodlands?
20 stops, with 3 changes.
How much is the MRT fare from Changi Airport to Woodlands?
S$2.55 for an adult paying by card or phone, S$2.05 before 7.45am on weekdays, and S$2.68 from 26 December 2026.
How long is the train ride?
About 65 minutes, not counting the walk to and from the stations.
Do I need to change trains?
Yes, 3 times, as listed in the steps above. Keep your card or phone in your pocket at the interchange; you only tap at the start and end of the trip, and the fare counts as one journey.
Which platform do I need at Changi Airport?
Follow the signs for the East West Line (Changi Airport branch) platform towards Tanah Merah. The platform screens show the next train and its destination.
More routes from Changi Airport and Woodlands
Bayfront to Woodlands | Bugis to Woodlands | Changi Airport to Ang Mo Kio | Changi Airport to Bayfront | Changi Airport to Bedok | Changi Airport to Bishan | Changi Airport to Boon Lay | Changi Airport to Bugis | Changi Airport to Chinatown | Changi Airport to City Hall | Changi Airport to Clarke Quay | Changi Airport to Clementi | Changi Airport to Dhoby Ghaut | Changi Airport to Expo
All station pairs are on the MRT routes hub, and the fare calculator covers any pair of stations.